BELFAST: A 26-year-old man from Northern Ireland has been jailed for life after a global online blackmail campaign that targeted thousands of young girls, including a 12-year-old in the United States who took her own life. Alexander McCartney, who posed as a teenage girl to lure victims, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years after admitting to 185 charges involving 70 children.
McCartney’s crimes, described by authorities as “industrial-scale” abuse, involved creating fake profiles on Snapchat to manipulate young girls into sending explicit photos. Once he had obtained images, he threatened to expose his victims unless they continued to do as he demanded.
Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan of the Police Service of Northern Ireland condemned McCartney’s actions, calling him a “disgusting child predator” who built “a paedophile enterprise.” Corrigan said McCartney began his campaign as a teenager from his bedroom in Newry, Northern Ireland, and showed no remorse for his victims.
One victim, Cimarron Thomas, a 12-year-old girl from West Virginia, took her own life in 2018 after McCartney demanded that she involve her younger sister in his exploitation. Eighteen months later, her grieving father, Ben Thomas, also died by suicide.
Judge John O’Hara, who sentenced McCartney at Belfast Crown Court, said he had never seen a case involving such severe online abuse. “It is truly difficult to think of a sexual deviant who poses a greater risk than this defendant,” he said, describing McCartney as “remorseless” and noting he continued to offend even after multiple arrests.
McCartney had also pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his role in Cimarron’s death. Corrigan revealed that when Cimarron threatened suicide, McCartney started a countdown and told her, “I don’t care.” Corrigan said, “He may as well have pulled the trigger himself… There’s only one place for him, that’s behind bars.”
The investigation, which involved cooperation with international law enforcement, uncovered that McCartney targeted victims worldwide, including in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. Derek Gordon, a U.S. special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, commended the Northern Irish authorities, calling their work “nothing short of brilliant.” He added, “Alexander McCartney committed some horrific and disturbing crimes and deserves every minute he serves in prison.”
Catherine Kierans of Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service estimated that McCartney’s campaign impacted around 3,500 girls, some as young as 10. Many of his victims may remain unidentified despite extensive investigative efforts.
Kierans urged young people facing online blackmail to seek help, saying, “This is a crime. You are not to blame. Please talk to a trusted adult.” She also praised the bravery of the victims who helped bring McCartney to justice.
Kierans encouraged parents to talk openly with their children about online safety, stating, “It is by bringing these issues out into the open that we can break the cycle of secrecy abusers rely on.”
3,500 Victims, 185 Charges: ‘Catfish’ Predator, Who Drove US Teen to End Life, Gets 20 Yrs in Jail world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World Breaking Headlines Today
